Carefree Truth
Issue #599, October 23, 2017
Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer said so much is happening in town. The Carefree Resort was bought, and is undergoing a total transformation into Civana, a world class sustainable health and wellness spa. Their reputation is drawing worldwide attention to Carefree. The Eastwood development sold 3 houses last month, and they expect all the homes to be sold by the end of the year. The success of the two Keystone developments reinforces the research that showed there are people here who want to downsize without leaving Carefree. Spanish Village is under new ownership, and is 85% occupied, including a new restaurant that will be opening this year.
The Pumpkin Festival is back in October for the 3rd year, bigger and better than ever. Always a huge success, every year it draws more people and more attention. The October edition of Food Network Magazine, reaching 14 million readers, included our Pumpkin Festival, the only event it did include. The Town will continue to make some money on the Festival to help offset the costs. They are still in great need of volunteers.
The Thunderbird Artists show will take place November 3rd-5th. The Carefree Veteran's Day event will be held on November 11th. On November 18th, the Driven to Give event will be held by the sundial. Sanderson Lincoln will be there with vehicles on display, and will donate $20 to the Veteran's Heritage Project for every test drive. Christmas in Carefree will expand from a 3 day event to a 3 week one. There will be a huge line up of entertainment, and a real Christmas gift market. For the kids, there are Santa special events and a Snow Village. The Arizona Chamber of Commerce held its annual conference at the Carefree Resort/Civana in September, and were welcomed by Mayor Peterson, who "waxed poetic" about Carefree. All were impressed by the beauty of our town and by the progress being made in the revitalization process.
Ms. Kroyer wanted to "call out the amazing job Gina does on all the town events". She is a virtual idea machine, and she knows how to bring them to fruition. With back-up from Vicki Zimmerman, she is bringing more and more people here to experience our town, entertaining the residents, and supporting the businesses. "I also want to thank Gary Neiss, who is the man behind everything. His knowledge and experience provide the structure and expertise behind everything that we do. We are so lucky to have all of these people on our entire town staff, including Kandace and Stacey and Bev and Jim. So, thank you all. You make this town great, and we appreciate it."
Councilwoman Kroyer turned the floor over to Director of Marketing, Gina Kaegi, who reported that this is the third year of the successful Carefree Pumpkin Festival. Mrs. Kaegi has spent the last 4 months organizing this "labor of love". She thanked the small businesses in town that have supported her along the way and make the event very special. Misty, the owner of Bella Dona Kane Boutique for pets is organizing the "Trunk or Treat" event along Easy Street, providing a safe alternative for kids at night. Vicki and Gene Orrico's Easy Street Consignment Boutique is once again providing arts and crafts for the kids. This is an integral part of the event. They put in 12-16 hour days. Catherine, owner of Venues Cafe, is providing the pumpkin pies for the popular pie eating contest. The Carefree Coffee Roastery has been part of the Festival since Day One, always there with a cup of coffee in hand. They are a real asset to the town.
There will be lots of new things this year; Ray Villafane is already working in the Gardens. Besides Ray, there are 4 other carvers from around the world. A 500 pound pumpkin has been located, bigger than last year's 400 pound one. An inflatable 40' x 40' corn maze is new for the kids this year. There will be a Spooktacular event one evening, for the adults who love to dress up for Halloween, as well as a costume contest for kids, family groups and pets. Local business owners have expressed interest in judging the costume contests. They still need event volunteers. It's 10 days and a big event.
Mrs. Kaegi was proud to report that the Carefree Enchanted Garden Pumpkin Festival is the only event in Arizona to be chosen by Food Network Magazine to represent Arizona for October. This says volumes for the town, for the investment, for Ray Villafane, and for everybody here who has continued to make this event possible. A full page ad in Food Network Magazine costs $95,000. To be chosen for a feature is a big deal. A dozen other media are running full page photos of the Festival, which would have cost at least $45,000 for ads. All provide a lot of free marketing exposure.
For Festival details, including parking, and costs for special activities and merchandise, go to the website www.carefreepumkingarden.com. Mrs. Kaegi thanked sponsors APS, the Carefree Resort/Civana, Eastwood/Keystone Homes, Russ Lyon/Sotheby, and Bashas', who have helped keep admission free. Many people come year after year, some from out of state. Please come and enjoy the Festival.
https://vimeo.com/236860533
(Please come and enjoy the Festival. Here's a link with photos Herbert has been taking as the pumpkins and scarecrows were being created, and at the Pumpkin Festival. Keep checking the link, as he will continue to add photos.)
http://aneyeonyouproduction.com/3rd-annual-enchanted-pumpkin-garden-2017.html
Issue #599, October 23, 2017
Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer said so much is happening in town. The Carefree Resort was bought, and is undergoing a total transformation into Civana, a world class sustainable health and wellness spa. Their reputation is drawing worldwide attention to Carefree. The Eastwood development sold 3 houses last month, and they expect all the homes to be sold by the end of the year. The success of the two Keystone developments reinforces the research that showed there are people here who want to downsize without leaving Carefree. Spanish Village is under new ownership, and is 85% occupied, including a new restaurant that will be opening this year.
The Pumpkin Festival is back in October for the 3rd year, bigger and better than ever. Always a huge success, every year it draws more people and more attention. The October edition of Food Network Magazine, reaching 14 million readers, included our Pumpkin Festival, the only event it did include. The Town will continue to make some money on the Festival to help offset the costs. They are still in great need of volunteers.
The Thunderbird Artists show will take place November 3rd-5th. The Carefree Veteran's Day event will be held on November 11th. On November 18th, the Driven to Give event will be held by the sundial. Sanderson Lincoln will be there with vehicles on display, and will donate $20 to the Veteran's Heritage Project for every test drive. Christmas in Carefree will expand from a 3 day event to a 3 week one. There will be a huge line up of entertainment, and a real Christmas gift market. For the kids, there are Santa special events and a Snow Village. The Arizona Chamber of Commerce held its annual conference at the Carefree Resort/Civana in September, and were welcomed by Mayor Peterson, who "waxed poetic" about Carefree. All were impressed by the beauty of our town and by the progress being made in the revitalization process.
Ms. Kroyer wanted to "call out the amazing job Gina does on all the town events". She is a virtual idea machine, and she knows how to bring them to fruition. With back-up from Vicki Zimmerman, she is bringing more and more people here to experience our town, entertaining the residents, and supporting the businesses. "I also want to thank Gary Neiss, who is the man behind everything. His knowledge and experience provide the structure and expertise behind everything that we do. We are so lucky to have all of these people on our entire town staff, including Kandace and Stacey and Bev and Jim. So, thank you all. You make this town great, and we appreciate it."
Councilwoman Kroyer turned the floor over to Director of Marketing, Gina Kaegi, who reported that this is the third year of the successful Carefree Pumpkin Festival. Mrs. Kaegi has spent the last 4 months organizing this "labor of love". She thanked the small businesses in town that have supported her along the way and make the event very special. Misty, the owner of Bella Dona Kane Boutique for pets is organizing the "Trunk or Treat" event along Easy Street, providing a safe alternative for kids at night. Vicki and Gene Orrico's Easy Street Consignment Boutique is once again providing arts and crafts for the kids. This is an integral part of the event. They put in 12-16 hour days. Catherine, owner of Venues Cafe, is providing the pumpkin pies for the popular pie eating contest. The Carefree Coffee Roastery has been part of the Festival since Day One, always there with a cup of coffee in hand. They are a real asset to the town.
There will be lots of new things this year; Ray Villafane is already working in the Gardens. Besides Ray, there are 4 other carvers from around the world. A 500 pound pumpkin has been located, bigger than last year's 400 pound one. An inflatable 40' x 40' corn maze is new for the kids this year. There will be a Spooktacular event one evening, for the adults who love to dress up for Halloween, as well as a costume contest for kids, family groups and pets. Local business owners have expressed interest in judging the costume contests. They still need event volunteers. It's 10 days and a big event.
Mrs. Kaegi was proud to report that the Carefree Enchanted Garden Pumpkin Festival is the only event in Arizona to be chosen by Food Network Magazine to represent Arizona for October. This says volumes for the town, for the investment, for Ray Villafane, and for everybody here who has continued to make this event possible. A full page ad in Food Network Magazine costs $95,000. To be chosen for a feature is a big deal. A dozen other media are running full page photos of the Festival, which would have cost at least $45,000 for ads. All provide a lot of free marketing exposure.
For Festival details, including parking, and costs for special activities and merchandise, go to the website www.carefreepumkingarden.com. Mrs. Kaegi thanked sponsors APS, the Carefree Resort/Civana, Eastwood/Keystone Homes, Russ Lyon/Sotheby, and Bashas', who have helped keep admission free. Many people come year after year, some from out of state. Please come and enjoy the Festival.
https://vimeo.com/236860533
(Please come and enjoy the Festival. Here's a link with photos Herbert has been taking as the pumpkins and scarecrows were being created, and at the Pumpkin Festival. Keep checking the link, as he will continue to add photos.)
http://aneyeonyouproduction.com/3rd-annual-enchanted-pumpkin-garden-2017.html
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.